Do you worry about your ageing mum or dad?

Looking after your loved ones as they grow older is the most natural thing in the world. After all, we want to know that they’re safe and well each day.

Here’s a story that may resonate with your family and a possible solution that could give you peace of mind:

Iris is 85 and lives a happy, independent life in the home that she loves. Each day her caring family checks that Iris is well.

For all of us, that reassuring call has to fit around family life, work and distance. It’s never too soon to plan ahead and put a safety net in place.

For Iris that safety net is 3rings – the simple plug-in device that raised the alarm when she needed help.

One morning, compression fractures in her back left Iris unable to get out of bed. The phone and emergency call button were in reach, but Iris didn’t raise the alarm.

The story of not being able to reach for help or not wanting to be a burden on the family is familiar. 3rings is a device that automatically summoned her son Steve to help.

Imagine, just by mum making her morning cup of tea or dad turning on the TV, the family get a reassuring message that everything is okay, or an alert that no activity is detected and help may be needed.

The 3rings plug, with in-built mobile technology, lets you know that your loved ones are okay each day. Simply plug in with their kettle, TV or almost any electrical mains device and tell 3rings when you want to check that they’re okay.

Steve had set 3rings to check that Iris’ kettle is used between 6 and 9 each morning. When Iris couldn’t get out of bed to make her morning cup of tea, the family’s daily peace of mind message wasn’t received and the red alert came instead.

They were then on the case and everyone knew that Iris had the help she needed. Thanks to 3rings, Iris was soon back on her feet.

If you know somebody like Iris who wants to enjoy living independently, without intrusion, let 3rings help. From as little as £3.69 per week, it offers a simple and affordable solution.

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Mother of three grown-up daughters I am the ultimate multi-tasker and am passionate about my role as Silversurfers Website Editor and Social Media Manager. Always on the lookout for all things that will interest and entertain our community. Fuelling fun for the young at heart!

My parents are in their mid 80s. They live near my brother and his family. My brother has a good relationship with his mother-in-law, who lives nearby. I live 60 miles away. My parents are in reasonable health. They are fiercely, resolutely independent. They will not ask for help with anything. They seldom visit my brother, me not at all. Seeing them is difficult, they have no conversation. They do not celebrate significant anniversaries with their family; they prefer to be alone at Christmas. My concern is that, when one of them dies, the other will firmly reject offers of help from us. I feel they are not my parents, it's like dealing with complete strangers. I will see them briefly on Boxing Day en route to my brother's; I'm dreading it.

My Mum and Dad are in their late 80s and still living at home. I see them often and talk to them almost daily. I do worry about them and this is why I keep in touch. At least they are together and healthy.

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